Model kits of the first electric motors

The model electric engine kits manufactured by the Old Model Company reflect the exciting early days of electricity and every effort has gone into ensuring that each kit is historically correct and as close as possible to the original design. The models are examples of early reciprocating engines and of rotary engines first produced between 1830 and the early 1900’s.

Build a piece of history

When Michael Faraday in Great Briton and Joseph Henry in the United States both discovered electricity at roughly the same time no one knew what to do with it, as at that time, nothing worked on electricity.

Initially the engine experimenters of the day copied steam engine design and practice replacing the steam with electro-magnets. These were reciprocating engines incorporating connecting rods, beams and flywheels.

They were quickly followed by more efficient rotative engine designs incorporating revolving armatures and rotors.

Many examples of these beautiful engines survive in museums around the world.

Our Model Engine Kits capture the excitement of those times and great efforts have been made to ensure that each model is as close as possible to the original design.

Features and Benefits

Our Model Engine Kits all work on low and safe DC voltages using AA batteries.

No machining or soldering is required and only ordinary hand tools need be used.

Very detailed and illustrated assembly instructions are supplied.

The parts are packaged in numbered packets that correspond to numbers in the assembly instructions.

A useful BA spanner tool is provided.

A “spares pack” of the easily “mislaid” parts is also supplied.

Timing is everything

Building one of our engine kits into an operational model is all about the timing and making these timing adjustment highlights the interaction between the armatures, the coils and the cam position relative to the timing blades.

The challenge lies in getting the timing right and this is all part of the fun.

The anticipation and end result of a functioning engine is both enjoyable and rewarding leaving the builder with a sense of achievement on completion.